The CPE Hack: How to Maximize Your Learning in Less Time

Written by CFI Team

Reviewed by Jeff Schmidt

Read Time 4 minutes

Smart Strategies to Earn CPE Credits Without the Stress

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is non-negotiable for many finance professionals. Certifications need to stay current, compliance is a must, and lifelong learning keeps you ahead of the curve. But between work deadlines, meetings, and personal responsibilities, finding the time to complete CPE can feel overwhelming.

The good news? Earning your CPE credits doesn’t have to take over your life. With smart strategies and flexible, on-demand programs like those offered by CFI, you can complete your CPE efficiently while gaining practical skills.

Here are time-saving strategies to help you maximize your learning and quickly meet your CPE goals.

1. Choose CPE Courses That Double as On-the-Job Training

One of the best ways to complete your CPE credits is to choose courses that apply directly to your current role. By integrating learning into your daily tasks, you save time while applying new skills that add value to your work.

How to Combine Work and Learning

Need sharper financial reporting? Take Audit a Financial Model with Macabacus to improve the accuracy of your model analysis.
Facing challenges with data visualization? A Tableau Fundamentals course helps you create insightful dashboards.
Interested in leadership? A course like Communicating & Leading with Influence will strengthen your ability to manage teams and present confidently.

Key Takeaway: Pick 1-2 courses that address real challenges you face at work. Apply the lessons immediately and turn your learning into a win for both you and your organization.

2. Break Learning Into Bite-Sized Sessions

Stop waiting for a “free weekend” to start continuing education. Instead, try learning in short, consistent bursts. This type of microlearning is more efficient and easier to fit into your busy life.

How It Works: CFI’s modular courses offer 10–30-minute lessons, making it easy to learn in small chunks during downtime.

Practical Ways to Use Short Bursts:

Watch a 10-minute lesson during your lunch break.
Complete a module while waiting for a meeting to start.
Dedicate 20 minutes in the evening to finish a lesson instead of scrolling on your phone.

Key Takeaway: Break your learning into shorter sessions to make steady progress and fit CPE into your busy schedule.

3. Plan Ahead and Set Small Milestones

Procrastination can turn CPE into a stressful, last-minute scramble. By planning ahead, you can stay organized and make consistent progress throughout the year.

How to Build a Learning Plan

Set Small Goals: Break down your total CPE credits into quarterly or monthly targets. For example, aim to earn 10 credits per quarter.
Schedule Learning Time: Treat study sessions like appointments and block them on your calendar.
Track Your Progress: Use tools like Google Sheets or Excel to monitor your completed courses, earned credits, and remaining requirements.

Quick Checklist for Progress Tracking:

Log course names, dates, and credit hours.
Set quarterly credit goals.
Track subject-specific requirements (e.g., ethics credits).

Key Takeaway: A clear plan with small milestones keeps you on track and eliminates last-minute stress.

4. Take Advantage of Flexible, On-Demand Learning

Gone are the days of long, in-person seminars that eat up weekends. Online platforms like CFI allow you to earn CPE credits on your schedule, anytime, anywhere.

Why Flexibility Matters

Learn Anytime: Early mornings, lunch breaks, or evenings — you decide when to learn.
Access Anywhere: Complete courses on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Pause and Resume: Pick up a lesson right where you left off, no matter how busy your day gets.

For example, a busy financial analyst uses CFI’s modular courses to complete a 30-minute lesson during their coffee breaks and commuting time on public transport. By consistently using short pockets of time, they complete a full course in under a week.

Key Takeaway: Flexible, on-demand CPE courses let you learn at your own pace, making it easy to balance work, life, and education.

5. Save Time with All-Access Memberships

Searching for individual CPE courses, comparing costs, and worrying about accreditation can drain valuable time. A simple way to streamline this process is by choosing an all-access membership from a trusted provider.

Why It Saves Time:

Get unlimited access to NASBA-accredited courses without per-credit costs.
Quickly find courses that match your needs, from core finance and technical skills to advanced topics and specialized domains.
Complete as many credits as you need — on your schedule.

Key Takeaway: All-access memberships, like those offered by CFI, help you earn CPE credits efficiently while exploring courses that align with your interests and goals.

Make Earning Your CPE Credits Effortless with CFI

Earning your CPE credits doesn’t have to be a time-consuming struggle. By choosing flexible, practical courses, breaking learning into small sessions, and planning ahead, you can fulfill your CPE requirements efficiently and stress-free.

CFI’s NASBA-accredited, on-demand courses make it easy to learn anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re mastering financial modeling or building leadership skills, you’ll gain practical knowledge that boosts your career.

Ready to simplify your CPE journey? Explore CFI’s CPE courses today and start earning your credits on your schedule.

Earn Your Credits!